Ronda Rousey, in black, attacks Liz Carmouche during the main event of UFC 157 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Rousey successfully defended her UFC women's bantamweight championship with a first round armbar submission.

Ronda Rousey, in black, attacks Liz Carmouche during the main event of UFC 157 at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Rousey successfully defended her UFC women's bantamweight championship with a first round armbar submission.

Female athletes attracting mainstream attention is hardly novel. For years, women's tennis was more watched than the men's game, and eyes of both sexes gravitate toward females in a host of Olympic sports.

But to make this kind of ferocity cool? For this type of attitude to be compelling and, dare I say...sexy? Seems Ronda is breaking barriers with same force she is elbows.

Rousey, who is famous for quotes such as "I'm the most dangerous unarmed woman in the world," added another pearl to her collection after the match, saying that "no amount of pressure is going to save these girls from me."

And yes, the quip got laughs, but make no mistake -- this woman is no joke.

Before the fight, songs like No Doubt's "I'm just a girl," were blaring throughout the arena, obviously signaling the novelty of the event. Don't expect that to continue.

Fans will keep watching Rousey and others because of their technique, not their sex. It's a new day in MMA, and quite frankly -- there's no fighting it.